THE staffer who accused Red Bull chief Christian Horner of controlling behaviour has allegedly launched an appeal against the probe that saw him cleared.
The unnamed woman at the centre of the “sexting” storm was suspended last week and is said to be disappointed by how the racing team dealt with the scandal.
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The female employee has reportedly launched an appeal against the internal probe that cleared Christian Horner of misconductCredit: Getty
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The staffer has since been suspended and is said to be upset by Red Bull’s decisionCredit: Getty
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Horner and Geri put on a united front at the Saudi Arabia GP last weekend
Horner, 50, was cleared of misconduct towards a female colleague – allegations he had always denied – by an internal probe on February 28.
However, she is now understood to have new legal representation and has appealed the decision of the investigation, according to The Times.
On March 7, the woman was suspended on full pay from Red Bull HQ amid claims her “honesty was called into question.”
The reasons allegedly given to her were that she appeared dishonest owing to inconsistencies in the evidence she had provided.
Red Bull Racing have been approached for comment.
On Thursday, a friend of the unnamed staffer told MailOnline: “She is so disappointed with how it’s all gone, especially as she did everything by the book.
“She raised her concerns in private and did everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.”
They added: “The lack of support is noted and she’s just so disappointed with the treatment from her employer.”
Insiders said she had demanded to continue working among 1,400 employees at the top F1 team’s high tech HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
It comes after former F1 driver Christijan Albers warned a “lot more will surface” as he noted the under pressure Red Bull boss has a “terrifying amount of power” at the all-conquering team.
Speaking to the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf he said it was “terrifying” Horner holds so much control despite the bombshell allegations against him.
Albers said: “Because by the way it’s all being picked up and it’s just being waved away, then you make someone on the other side extra angry. I think a lot more will surface.
“Then, still, [Horner has] this drive and envy to still be able to get that number one position and just chop everyone’s head off.”
Spice Girls ‘rallying behind’ Geri Halliwell, Mel B says amid sexting scandal plaguing F1 boss husband Christian Horner
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s dad Jos, 52, has backed the suspended female employee and called for Horner to be axed, accusing him of ripping the team apart.
There are rumblings in the Vertsappen camp that the reigning world champ could quit Red Bull in the foreseeable future.
Despite the ongoing saga, Horner has been putting forward a consistent business-as-usual front in his £8million-a-year role.
The F1 chief and his Spice Girl wife Geri, 51, put on a united – if awkward – front last weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.
Speaking at the press conference, Horner said he was keen to “draw a line” under the scandal and that it was time to “focus on what is going on on track.”
Despite Geri’s very visual display of standing by her man, sources claim that the singer is “in turmoil”.
The F1 season returns next week in Melbourne for the Australian GP and the off-track drama has done little to slow down the dominating Verstappen, who has won both races easily.
